Pepe, from Pepe y Teo, is a YouTube sensation who has captivated audiences in Mexico and around the globe with his discussions on a wide variety of issues that impact the lives of LGBT people: from homophobia in sports, to trans rights and Mexican singer-songwriter Gloria Trevi. Pepe is also part of the Hornet Team and he recently helped us learn all about Mexican gay slang.

We had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Pepe to discuss machismo, respectability politics and being true to yourself.

Here are Pepe and Alex Garner from Hornet discussing machismo and being a #gayfluencer:

We also followed up with Pepe to learn even more.

Hornet: What do you do at Hornet and where are you located?

Pepe: I’m a Social Media Manager at Hornet and I live in Mexico City. I also write articles for Hornet, create videos and work on special projects for the app.

How did you become a gay influencer?

Pepe y Teo started in 2011. We were 21 years old and we were living and experimenting around all the sex and love that comes with that age. We realized we had so much fun talking and wondering about life that we decided to record ourselves and put it on YouTube.

If you had one key message to share with your audience, what would it be?

We have so many (laughs). But we mostly tell them they can be themselves and to not be afraid. Because if we can do it surely they can too.

How can social networks and social media have a positive impact on people’s lives?

We see it everyday. All our followers feel identified with us, and we try (as much as we can) to empower all the LGBT people through our comedy videos.

Hornet allows men to connect with other all around the world. What city would you like to visit and why?

Oh I can’t wait to go to Brazil. I love Brazilian men, I think they are so charismatic and sexy and “dotados” (hung).

If you could do anything else, what would it be and why?

I love entertaining people. I think I would love to have a radio show or a TV morning talk show!

Who’d play you in the movie version of your life?

Wilmer Valderrama looks just like me. Especially when he played that “queer-feminine” character (Fez) in That ’70s Show! Either him or Chris Pratt, but I feel I look more like Wilmer!